2020 Jeep Cherokee

The 2020 Cherokee's asking price spans over a wide range and starts with the entry-level Latitude, which goes for $25,740, or $27,240 in 4x4 guise. This price excludes tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,495. After the Latitude, there are still eight trim levels to go. The Latitude Plus starts at $27,200 for the FWD and $28,700 for the 4x4. Altitude models start at $28,390, and head up to $29,890 in 4x4 configuration. The exclusively 4x4 Upland goes for $30,620. Premium spec Limited models will set you back a minimum of $31,350, and the 4x4 North Edition costs $31,505. Hardcore Trailhawk cars go for $34,310, and the exclusive High Altitude will set you back $35,090 in FWD guise, and $36,390 in 4x4 spec.

Over the years, the Cherokee family of offroading SUVs have improved their on-road manners considerably, and the 2020 car proves to be the best of the lot. On the road, the Cherokee offers a beautifully compliant ride, and we commend Jeep for striking such a good balance between car-like composure and flexible off-road damping. At low speeds the Cherokee eats up undulations on the road, and high-speed cruising is simply a pleasure. The ride becomes slightly harsher when the Cherokee is fitted with 18 or 19-inch wheels, but it's not unbearable by any means. The Cherokee will handle long corners at higher speeds without complaint, but shows its SUV roots when chucked around a corner with too much enthusiasm. Understeer is the name of the game here. Off the road, the comfort biased suspension setup is a boon; rough bits are swallowed with glee, especially in cars with the available off-road suspension setup, which allows for increased wheel travel and overall pliability. The braking system is one of the best we've tested in the class and offers beautifully linear stopping power.

The Cherokee has been a staple of American SUV and offroading life for over half a century and continues to capture the hearts of Americans of all ages and means. The fifth-generation Cherokee has been on sale since November 2013 but has seen numerous updates since, and the 2020 model on review is the most capable and feature-rich one yet. Jeep gives buyers a massive range of trim levels and optional extras to choose from, so there's something for everyone. We like that the Cherokee is capable of being a family-friendly SUV, and serious off-road contender at the same time and that Jeep gives you the option to go with a city crawling FWD, or hardcore 4x4. The engine options range from weedy to plucky, and on the road, the Cherokee delivers a composed and surprisingly refined ride. The interior of the Cherokee is a relaxed and well-designed space that feels refined and well put together, and the infotainment system is up there with the best. Jeep has once again proven that building an off-road machine doesn't have to come at a cost to comfort and daily driveability.

The Cherokee is many things to many people, and finding the right fit shouldn't be a difficult job at all. We'll look at both a city-friendly suburban SUV and an Off-road style option. For those who're planning on sticking to the city limits, we'd suggest going with an FWD Latitude Plus with the $2,245 turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. Not only is this configuration the most fuel-efficient, but the low-down torque of the turbocharged four-pot makes driving in the city a pleasure, despite hints of turbo lag. The Latitude Plus also offers blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection. For those planning on hitting the trails, the only option really is the Trailhawk, which features a standard 3.2-liter V6 engine, and an Active Drive Lock system, which includes a two-speed 4x4 system with rear locker.

The Grand Cherokee is the big brother of the Cherokee range, and it's bigger, more capable, and more pricey. The 2020 Grand Cherokee is powered by either a 3.6-liter V6, 5.7-liter V8, 6.4-liter V8, or a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, so power is clearly a non-issue. Power is sent to the rear or all wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Cherokee places a more pronounced focus on luxury and off-road capability than the standard Cherokee with features such as a standard Quadra-Lift air suspension system and Selec-Terrain traction management on 4x4 cars being standard. Move up the range, and the Grand Cherokee transforms from comfortable SUV with off-roading intentions to track-focused fire-breathing monsters, which would fail spectacularly on anything but the smoothest road surfaces. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, for instance, produces 707 hp and features a Selec-Track adaptive damping system with track, sport, auto, snow, and tow modes. The Grand Cherokee does what it says in the name: it delivers a grand experience, well at least when compared to the smaller and less powerful Cherokee. If you need the extra space and appreciate a premium driving experience, go for the Grand Cherokee.

The Compass slots in underneath the Cherokee and offers compact crossover SUV thrills to those looking for something more rugged than the average small SUV. All 2020 Compass vehicles are powered by the same 2.4-liter four-pot engine that does duty in the Cherokee, but in this smaller and lighter package, delivers better performance. Gas mileage, on the other hand, is not that impressive: the most efficient Compass will only manage 23/32/26 mpg city/highway/combined. On the road, the Compass feels more like a four-door hatchback than full-blown SUV, which will appeal to those who do more city driving than anything else, and its light steering and nippy turn-in is a boon for driving in tight city traffic. The interior of the Compass resembles that of the Cherokee, but it can't match the Cherokee for passenger space or trunk space. Higher trim Compass SUVs get standard driver assistance features, but in lower trims, it offers a more basic setup. We'd recommend getting the Compass if you don't need the extra space or capability of the Cherokee, but still appreciate the above-average off-roading capability that Jeep brings to the table.